It’s Not Selling Out, It’s Buying Into the Hard Work
Tomorrow, Natalie and I are guest lecturing at WMU’s Art 1480 course. The teacher wanted us to not only share how our art is created, but how Natalie and I do what we do, aka make a living.
I love that question. How does an artist, writer, or musician make a living?
The way an artist makes a living usually follows the sex and cash theory, created by Hugh MacLeod. Meaning, there is the sexy work that we like to do (our art, our unique ideas, our memoirs…) and then there is the cash work, the work that pays the bills.
For example, Nat’s writing a column for the Bridge right now as we speak. Friday, she was doing a book talk for her memoir, Swedish Lessons. This weekend, I played a show of mostly originals; and today I’m prepping some holiday music for an upcoming. private party.
We wear many hats.
Some artists–ones who usually don’t do much art and spend their time complaining–might call this selling out. But it’s not.
Selling out is doing something that isn’t true to one’s heart, but there is nothing wrong with doing some work that pays (commercial work) to help fund the artistic work that might not be commercial appeal.
Danny Barnes, esteemed banjo player, says, “Don’t be afraid to do other things to make money in the short term.” (rest of blog on how to make a living as a musician is here)
We must work to fuel our art. It’s not selling out. It’s buying into the work.
A smile might be one of the most powerful things a musician, teacher, or public speaker can do while on stage.
Yesterday, I had a gig where I was a tired, irritable from traffic jams, and hungry because I missed lunch. (Playing a three or four hour gig can be difficult when your head isn’t in the right place.)
The best solution to this? Force yourself to smile.
And that’s what I did. By five songs into the set, I felt like I was back in a positive groove, mentally.
* * *
My friend Alan Black, musician and radio engineer, shared a lesson he learned from his drama teacher in high school. He told me, “Singing sounds better when you smile!
I’ve analyzed that in my mind for years. Is that really true?
I finally realized yesterday that the smile’s positive effect isn’t about the sound of the singing, but the look of performer on stage for the audience. A smile is disarming. It also how helps the performer’s mood!
So today I remind you artists and performers, don’t forget about smiling. It can change your gig, which will magically increase your tips or sales.
Smiling Vials!
My mom and I joke with my father how he never smiles in photos. It’s a big deal when we catch him off guard!
Easy to Argue, Difficult to Create
It’s easy to argue, but difficult to create.
Streaming platforms will ruin creativity? The Internet is making music success more difficult? The long tail is proving to be false?
Maybe, maybe not. But worrying about those busy arguing take time away from creating; and creation of art is more productive than worrying about the fray.
(Also, those in the headlines always seem to have a new tech project, new book, or new something awaiting to be announced on the heels of making loud noise, don’t they?)
Is That Tom Cruise at My Open Mic? (a short, 1 scene play)
Scene: Ann Arbor, Michigan at Mash, a basement bar.
I’m packing up gear from the open mic night. A patron walks up to me.
Drunk College Guy: Do you work here?
Me: Well, not really. I’m the host of the open mic night.
DCG: Can I use your microphone?
Me: Sorry, open mic finished at 11. Do you play music?
DCG: No, my friend and I want to reenact the scene from Top Gun where–
Me: Nope.
